Examination: Battalion Chief

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Working title
Battalion Chief
Monthly salary
$6,882.00 - $8,930.00 per Month
Exam #
4444
Deadline
12/06/2025
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Position Description

00109723 - BATTALION CHIEF

This is the first working supervisory level. Under direction, Battalion Chiefs perform as subunit managers and direct personnel in the implementation of various departmental programs (e.g., training, safety, emergency command center, fire prevention, air operations, camps, fire stations); or perform staff and support functions of comparable difficulty and responsibility as either unit or Academy training officers, fire protection planning and/or prevention officers, local government fire marshals, or as region command center officers. In a headquarters or region assignment, a Battalion Chief provides staff support to a higher level manager who has responsibility for a major Department program. Responsibilities may include conducting arson and preliminary fire investigations, public information activities, and relief field battalion coverage.

JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Certain positions in these classifications require peace officer status as a condition of appointment and continued employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS - FOR PEACE OFFICER POSITIONS ONLY

FELONY DISQUALIFICATION

Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179 (b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1722 (b). Except as provided for these by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in these classifications. This felony disqualification applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within these classifications.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION INFORMATION

Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. This background investigation applies only to those positions designated as peace officers within these classifications.

WORK AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

Existing law provides that peace officers be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

00109723 - BATTALION CHIEF

All classifications in the series require possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. (Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.)


Either I

Three years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Fire Captain or Fire Captain (Paramedic). [Applicants who gained employment with CAL FIRE by Board Resolution may compete if they have three years of full-time experience as a Fire Captain or Fire Captain (Paramedic). Experience with CAL FIRE may be combined with prior Fire Captain or Fire Captain (Paramedic) experience to meet this requirement.]

Or II


Five years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator (two years of which must have been as a result of successful completion of a formal Training and Development assignment to the Fire Captain classification) and successful completion of Basic Fire Control training which includes the Fire Fighter Academy and Company Officer Academy.

(Applicants who are within six months of satisfying the experience requirement for either Pattern I or II will be admitted to the examination, but must fully meet the experience requirement before being eligible for appointment.)

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Final Filing Date: 12/6/2025.

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will not be accepted.

Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

If using the United States Postal Service (USPS) for delivery, there is no guarantee that your application will be postmarked and arrive by the final filing date. If your application does not have a postmark and arrives after the final filing date, your application may not be accepted into the examination. Therefore, to ensure timely delivery of your application, it is recommended that you use either parcel service, or certified mail. Using one of these options will provide proof the application was sent prior to the final filing date.

EXTENDED DUTY WEEK COMPENSATION (EDWC)

This classification is eligible for the following pay:

$6882 - $8930 Base Salary (paid every month)
$2281 - $3035 Extended Duty Week Compensation (paid every 4 weeks)
$112,237 – $146,615 Annual Compensation

In addition to the above pay items, employees are eligible for medical benefits (health, dental, vision) and may be eligible for other pay differentials.

Who Should Apply

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Promotional Examination(s):

  • BATTALION CHIEF - Promotional

In addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, competition is limited to individuals who meet at least one of the following filing criteria:

  • 1. Have a permanent civil service appointment with a promotional testing department (see Testing Departments), or
  • 2. Are current or former employees of the legislature for 2 or more years as defined in Government Code 18990, or
  • 3. Are current or former non-elected exempt employees of the executive branch for 2 or more consecutive years as defined in Govt. Code 18992, or
  • 4. Are persons retired from the United States military honorably discharged from active duty with a service disability or honorably discharged from active duty as defined in Government Code 18991. Applicants must provide a copy of discharge papers (DD 214) for verification purposes at the time of application.

Under certain circumstances other employees may be allowed to compete under provisions of Rules 234, 235 and 235.2. California Code of Regulations Rules 233, 234, 235.2 and 237 contain provisions regarding civil service status and eligibility for promotional examinations.

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements by the final filing date December 6, 2025, unless otherwise noted.
  • Once you have participated in this examination, you may not test again for six (6) months.
  • Applicants who have not passed probation in this classification are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
    Examination Unit
    710 Riverpoint Ct.
    West Sacramento, CA 95605
    8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Please note the following:

1.) A State Application (STD 678) is REQUIRED and must be submitted.

2.) All applicants must include "from" and "to" employment dates (month/day/year), time base, and applicable civil service class titles on their STD 678. Applications received without this information may be rejected.

3.) Candidates that wish to apply unplanned overtime hours towards the experience requirements outlined in the Minimum Qualifications section of this bulletin, MUST complete the Unplanned Overtime (OT) Supplemental Form.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED VIA EMAIL WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Application Link

Battalion Chief

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

CAL FIRE Examination Unit
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 894-9580
CALFIREexams@fire.ca.gov

CAL FIRE Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
710 Riverpoint Ct.
West Sacramento, CA 95605
Phone: (916) 767-8359
ReasonableAccommodations@fire.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.